As businesses transition back to the office environment, there emerges a unique and opportune moment for organisations to redefine their relationship with their workforce and introduce a new approach to promote active health and wellbeing.
“The integration of workplace wellbeing initiatives into company culture brings countless benefits to the business and its employees” says Helen Beebe Managing Director of AJ Products (UK) Ltd, a full service supplier of workspace furniture whose aim is to improve employee health and wellbeing. Helen goes on to say “notably, employee benefits aimed at supporting active health and wellbeing show the company’s commitment to its workforce, increasing job satisfaction and staff retention. What’s more, optimising the physical workspace for greater movement and flexibility can increase engagement and productivity levels”.
Encouraging more significant levels of physical activity in and out of the workplace benefits employees by helping to improve their fitness levels. It also has a knock-on effect on emotional wellness by boosting energy levels and mood, relieving stress, increasing self-esteem and improving memory and sleep. Elements that can help support physical health include healthy eating options in the company canteen, group fitness challenges and active office furniture.
What is an active workplace?
An active and dynamic office environment promotes employee health and wellbeing, having short and long term benefits for both employer and staff. Designed with the staff’s best interests in mind: a working environment where the furniture makes it easy to vary the way you work and encourages exercise. Movement strengthens the muscles, increases blood circulation and prevents strain injuries. By ensuring continuous movement, the active office contributes to the wellbeing of everyone throughout the entirety of the workday and beyond.
Easy ways to introduce physical activity into the workplace
Sustaining regular muscular and joint activity is crucial for individuals with predominantly sedentary roles. This is where the significance of appropriate seating comes to the fore, strongly influencing overall wellbeing.
Active seating that activates the core boosts fitness and helps strengthen the back and torso muscles. The body is made to move and thrives when it is active. Long hours of sitting can squeeze the discs in the lumbar spine and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to disc herniation.
Active seating offers three compelling reasons for its use. Firstly, it engages deep-seated muscles, resulting in heightened energy levels and calorie expenditure, benefiting both the body and concentration. Secondly, the incorporation of physical movement stimulates improved blood circulation and oxygenation, thereby amplifying efficiency and productivity throughout work sessions. Lastly, active seating contributes to pelvic strengthening, encouraging an upright and supportive posture while seated.
Variation of posture is the key to avoiding back injuries
Sitting in a sedentary position for extended periods can negatively impact the body. Avoid static postures by changing working positions frequently at the desk. An alternative to active seating is to stand up – but don’t stand still!
Standing to increase movement
Working at a standing desk will increase NEAT* activities. Adding a standing desk mat adds an extra level of movement. Using extra energy by moving whilst standing, it will make standing up more manageable and more comfortable, placing less strain on the body.
Active standing desk mats encourage constant movement, improving circulation, reducing fatigue and alleviating strain on legs, knees and back.
Positive impacts of introducing an active office
Active office seating and furniture not only enhance physical healthy but also positively affect mood and productivity. Sit-stand desks improve mental wellbeing as demonstrated by a study of 146 NHS staff led by researchers from the Universities of Leicester and Loughborough and published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). At the end of the one-year study, participants who had used a standing desk reported improved quality of life, reduced fatigue and anxiety, and better engagement with their work 1.
Metabolism boost and weight management
Incorporating movement through standing and active seating, however insignificant, will help to boost metabolism, aiding calorie burning and weight loss over time.
Better creativity and collaboration
A height-adjustable conference table provides benefits in the meeting room as well. Research shows that we are both more creative and better at collaborating when we stand up than when we sit 2. Plus, concentration levels increase, so standing meetings tend to be shorter and more effective 3. Should the meeting last longer, lowering the table and letting the participants sit down for a while is easy.
Enhancing the workplace environment
Well planned interior design creates an enjoyable, positive working environment that reflects the organisation’s values and promotes wellbeing.
Colours impact mood and efficiency
Blue tones create a sense of security and harmony. This popular colour increases productivity while also promoting communication. Likewise, green, thanks to its associations with nature, is calming and can ease decision making. Green is also linked to higher levels of creativity. At the other end of the spectrum, red can make it harder to concentrate, reduce analytical thinking and increase stress.
Acoustics for reduced stress
Acoustic solutions such as desk screens, acoustic wall panels and ceiling hanging panels reduce workplace noise alleviating stress and improving concentration.
Workspace flexibility for optimal productivity
According to Steelcase, 40% of workers say they don’t have enough informal spaces in their workplace 4. Offering diverse work environments in the office, allows employees to choose their work environment based on their current tasks, not to mention personality types. An activity based workplace with quiet, collaborative and social spaces enhances creativity and wellbeing.
Employee wellbeing through policy changes
Implement company policies such as flexible hours and wellness programs to enhance employee psychological wellbeing, reduce sick leave and boost productivity.
Prioritising an active workspace
An active office that prioritises employees and their health and wellbeing will strengthen the organisation’s appeal, aiding in talent retention and recruitment.
Sources
1 British Medical Journal (BMJ) (2018) Effectiveness of the Stand More AT (SMArT) Work intervention: cluster randomised controlled trial [accessed September 2019]
2Lehman, S. (2014) “Standing meetings may improve group productivity” Reuters [online] available from: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-psychology-group-meetings-productivit-idUSKBN0EV29V20140620 [accessed March 2019]
3 Dahl, M. (2014) “Work Smarter: Meetings Are 34 Percent Shorter If You’re Standing Up” The Cut [online] available from: https://www.thecut.com/2014/05/work-smarter-for-shorter-meetings-stand-up.html [accessed March 2019]
4 Steelcase (2018) HR Advocates Help Create the Right Work Space
*NEAT – Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis NEAT, describes the calories burned by the movements we make when we go about the everyday. NEAT includes the physical movement in our lives that isn’t planned exercise or sports (or sleeping, breathing, and eating).
Background
AJ Products creates ergonomic workspaces that improve productivity, efficiency and employee wellbeing. Providing innovative solutions for offices, warehouses, industrial facilities, schools, canteens and changing rooms, their unique, environmentally-friendly product range comprises more than 15,000 products in a modern Scandinavian style. Designed and manufactured in-house, every product comes with a 7-year warranty.
AJ Products, for all your workplace needs.
Uma Rajagopal has been managing the posting of content for multiple platforms since 2021, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune. Her role ensures that content is published accurately and efficiently across these diverse publications.